Crews unloading frozen fish from truck on Interstate 290

Wednesday

Aug 21, 2013 at 6:27 AMAug 21, 2013 at 4:21 PM

By Linda Bock and Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Motorists should avoid Interstate 290 eastbound near the Massachusetts Turnpike interchange until late afternoon as crews work to remove 39,000 pounds of frozen fish from a damaged tractor-trailer. Crews are also cleaning fuel that spilled in the 5 a.m. crash.

There are backups on I-290 eastbound, as well as Interstate 395 north and onto Route 20 east throughout the morning.

Police said the driver of the eastbound rig was not injured when, for reasons still under investigation, the trailer became separated from the cab.

“Due to extensive damage, the trailer will have to be off-loaded by hand,” state police said in a news release. "This will take place after the morning commute and will necessitate the closing of the right and middle lanes. We expect traffic delays and recommend seeking an alternate route if possible.”

The trailer was heavily damaged.

Sgt. Giovanni Caramiello of the state police's Holden barracks said a couple of fish spilled out of the truck while most were contained.

Sgt. Caramiello said it appeared that a faulty frame on the truck caused it to bend in half.

“It may be something related to defective equipment — the brakes and suspension were in good shape,” the sergeant said.

The driver avoided a catastrophe by driving into the breakdown lane, the sergeant said.

However, two lanes had to be blocked to unload the truck, which was about 100 yards west of Exit 7, to get to Route 12 southbound.

Andrew R. Pelletier, Auburn's director of public health, responded to the accident scene.

Meanwhile, the traffic problem is compounded by a three-car accident involving two cars and a trash truck at Route 20 and Elm Street, according to Auburn Police Chief Andrew J. Sluckis, Jr. Officers were at the scene of that accident at 11:30 a.m.